Clutch means for power feed mechanism



May 26, 1959 D. HEYER CLUTCH MEANS FOR POWER FEED MECHANISM original Filed Deo. 24. 1952 3 Sheetg-Sheet 1 me u/vofe ppsssaef esa/mme @No 6R65 as 'Y i @t mvENToR 0N 1YR/122 @QQ/caw ATTORNEY May 26, 1959 D. Hl-:YER

. CLUTCH MEANS EOE POWER FEED MECHANISM l original Filed Dee. 24, 1952 5 s neets-snet 2 E Nldr E R mm wm mm A www mw Ww SWW bw w Air mm. NL mw ww E INVENTOR- oN Hiv/ER BY v ` ATTORNEY May 26, 1959 D. HEYER CLUTCH MEANS FOR POWER FEED MECHANISM Original Filed Dec. 24, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 73 INVENTOR 0N faQ-YER BY ATTORNEY lnited States Patent O CLUTCH MEANS FOR POWER FEED MECHANISM Don Heyer, El Monte, Calif.

Original application December `24, L1952, Serial fNo. 327,755. Divided .and his application October 22, l1956,Serial No. 617,528

9 Claims. (Cl. 74-625) Vln order that the construction, operationand advan` tages of this clutch controlled drive means readilymay be undersoood, the present application f repeats herewith a descriptionofthe apparatus shown in the aforesaidpending application.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved clutch controlled drive kmeans for eifecting and controlling thelongitudinal movement offthe spindle of a drill press,.or` ofa similar tool supporting element,`

to obtain the 'desired movement of the tooltowardA and away from vthe Work. i

It is another object ofvthis invention to provide a clutch controlled` drive means such as described, which is of a vsimple and compact construction, adaptedvfor readyapplication'to drill presses, or similarmachines, to control `the longitudinal movement of `the spindle thereof either manually or by power `actuated means at the will ofthe operator.

AIt `is'another object `of-'this inventionto provide a simple and novel clutch construction, whereby the "drive means associated therewith may :be quickly decoupled from` the ,spindle 'control `shaft in order that the longitudinalmovement'ofthe tool may be controlled manually `without the use-v of the power actuating drive'means.

It is another object of 'this invention to ,provide a drive means of the character described, which effects the desired longitudinal movement ofy thetspindleresponsive to a comparatively small movement of an actuatingmember, for example, a short stroke of a plunger or piston rod. `This kmalrespossble the provision of a compact drive-clutchunitisubjectlto a convenient mounting on a drill or the like,

It is another-object hereof to provide a clutch controlled drive unittsuchas described, which by reasonof its simplicity,.compactness, andasmall size readily lends itself to use in :connection with any apparatus employed foretiecting a'power operation of the spindle of various types of drillpressesv-andjthe like Lto move the 'tool into and out of contact with thelwork.

-This `invention possesses manyother advantages and has other objects which `may bemade more easily apparent from a consideration ofty one embodiment of the invention. VFor this purpose there isshown in the drawings iaccompanying and forming part of thepresent specication, la form` of'thisinvention exemplified `as applied tora` drill vpress:having@afspindle which controls `the longiy 2,887,903 Patented May 26, 1959 2 tudinaliposition Ioffadri1lbit with respect to the work into twhich the bit is designed to penetrate. This form will 'now'be described in detail, illustrating the general principles ofthe invention. It is to be understood that, while'exemplied in apparatus applied to a drill press, the teachings rof this invention are similarly applicable to many types 'of `machines and machine tools; therefore this detailed :description is not to `be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appendedclaims VReferring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 isla side 'elevationof a drill press with the powered driving v:apparatus Iofv the present invention `mounted thereon;

`Fig. 2 `is .a;sectional elevationalview taken along line 2-2ofFig. y1,:showinga portion of the mounting means foresecuriug the apparatus of this invention fto a drill press;

VFig?, is a sectional--view taken along line 3-l3 of' Fig. 4s'howing the driving cylinder and'piston, togetherv With the rack andxpinionrconnectionto the 4clutch shownin Figs.A, 5, and'6;

`Figfl is asectional viewitaken on line 4-4 of-Figs. land '3, showing particularly the :clutch arrangementand related -gearing assembly through which motion of kthe driving means'is transmitted to the conventional spindle control shaft ofthe drill, press; .Big5 is an elevationalviewtaken along line-5-`5rof Fig. `4, lshowing the clutchcontrol handles positionedfor powered-operationofthe ldrill, i.'e., 'for clutchsengagement;

Fig. .6is an elevationalpartially sectioned, vtakerualong f lined-6` in-Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a section alongline 7 '7 vof Fig. v3. .Referringfnowspecifically to y,Fig 1, thereisshown a conventionalform of drill `press 10, having an upright standard .11, fa1 drill rotatingmotor'12, and a drill bit13. Bit13 is raised rand lowered in accordance With-,the angulanpositiomof rotatable spindle control shaft 14con trolledY by handle l15, whichflatter may form a portion of thecontrolapparatus'ofY this invention.

Mounted on theconventional drillfpress ,thus-{aride- .scribedis the air-powered driving means l16 of'thisinvention, including ra cylinderflThaving end plates 181and 19, to which is secured a clutch housing 2G, the latterbeing mounted` over spindle control shaft 14. Ak suitable `source 21` of air under pressure `is connected through pipe 22 tola ,valve 23Ypreferably formed as -a unitary structure-with cylinder 17 and utilizing endnplates 18 `and'l9.

.fAirfromtsource 211, applied selectively throughvalve 23toA cylinder'17, serves to reciprocate a rack 24 coupled through gearing and clutch means in housing Ztl to shaft `,14,therebyraising'andlowering drill bit 13. Airexhausted'fromcylinder 17'returns through valve 23 to'out- .55 letpipes25lformingfa` common duct-at 26'leading:to a

hole in bit guide 27-aixed-above the work 28. Inl this manner, lan intermttent'ow of air is discharged against \,the rotating 'bit 13y duringoperation thereof.

The` several-portions ofthe assembly ,thus far described generally willnow befully described in detail. Y

The driving means 16 including cylinder 17 is mounted on theestandard 5l1,as shown in Fig. 2. Clamping means ,-29, including a split ring29a and a clamping bolt 3i), serve to anchor-adjustably on standard 11 a clamp 3.1, which inturnsupports cylinder 17, by the engagement of clamp ,-31 with bolt Y32, one of the bolts which serves to holdtogetherend plates `18and 19. -Of the remaining .jthree boltsf33, 34, and v35, bolts 33 and '35, situated'respectively at the top and bottom of cylinder 17, continue `x forwardly of, plate18' and serve to strengthen the apparatus` throughconnectionwith housing 20.

Referring .particularlyto Fig. 3 showing the driving assfasos means 16 and housing 20, it will be seen that the right hand end of rack 24 constitutes a piston rod to which is attached, within cylinder 17, a piston 36 having a piston ring 37 forming an air-tight, slidable seal between piston 36 and the inside wall of cylinder 17, and preferablyin the form of a toroid of elastic material such as oil resistant synthetic rubber. As is known in the art, ring 37 is free to roll slightly in annular groove 38 in the edge of piston 36. In so doing it stretches, thereby forming a good air seal between piston 36 and the inside of the wall of cylinder 17.

Inasmuch as driving means 16 is mounted on one portion of drill press and housing 20 is mounted on another portion thereof, it is desirable to provide thaty the mounting and other connections between driving means 16 and housing 20 shall be pliant within small limits. To this end the engagement of rack 24 with piston 36, and the port 39 through which rack 24 emerges from cylinder 17 include pliant mounting means. Such a mounting means is shown, for example, at end 40 of rod 33, inthe form of a sleeve 41 of resilient material, such as oil resistant synthetic rubber interposed between end 40 and opening 42 in housing 20 in which end 40 is received. The pliant mounting means includes, in addition to resilient sleeve 41, inner and outer metal sleeves 43 and 44, respectively. Similar pliant mounting means are provided at 45 on extended bolt 35 and at 46 Where rack 24 is attached to piston 36; also around port 39 Where rack 24 emerges from cylinder 17 through end plate 18. It will be noted that end plate 18 at port 39 includes a groove 47 and elastic ring 48 functioning in the manner described for groove 38 and elastic ring 37 of piston 36.

Teeth 49 of rack 24 coact with pinion 50 mounted on shaft 51 journaled in housing 20, being held thereagainst by a saddle shaped roller 52 (Fig. 4) mounted on shaft 53 likewise journaled in housing 20.

To transmit reciprocation of the rack 24, impelled by air-powered driving means 16, to spindle control shaft 14, a gear 54 also mounted on shaft 51 meshes with a gear 55 journaled coaxially around shaft 14 and coupled thereto through a clutch 56 to be presently described in connection with Fig. 4. Extreme forward movement of piston 36 necessitates the inclusion of a hollow boss 57 on housing 20 for the reception of the end of rack 24.

Clutch 56 is shown in detail in Fig. 4, which also illustrates the manner in which housing 20 is mounted on shaft 14.

To accommodate the apparatus of this invention to spindle control shafts of various diameters, a bushing 58 is provided, which is secured to shaft 14 by means of set screw 59. Mounted on bushing 58 and secured thereto by a set screw 60, is a sleeve 61 having an annular shoulder 62 at one end thereof. On the other end of sleeve 61 from shoulder 62 is mounted, by means of set screw 63 and threads 64, a collar 65 from which extends a control handle 15. The outer surface of sleeve 61 constitutes a bearing surface on which is rotatably mounted a sleeve 67 preferably formed integral with gear 55. It will be noted that sleeve 67 extends axially a short distance beyond housing 20, where it contacts a collar 68 interposed between collar 65 and sleeve 67 and having also a handle 69 extending therefrom. Collar 68 is mounted on sleeve 61 so as to be axially and angularly slidable thereon.

Reviewing the assembly thus far described, it will be seen that sleeve 67, oscillating in accordance with reciprocation of rack 24 through the coaction of gears 50, 54, and 55, imparts this oscillation to shaft 14 through sleeve 61, and bushing 50, by selective coupling of sleeve 61 with sleeve 67. Such coupling is accomplished through collars 65 and 68 as will be explained in connection with Fig. 5.

Selective axial pressure between collars 65 and 68 is effected by the action of a ball 70 (Figs. 5 and 6) contained in an axial hole 71 in collar 65 and biased against the surf-ace of collar 68 by a spring 72 held in position by an inset screw 73. Tov relieve pressure on ball 70 against collar 68, a hemispherical recess 74 is provided in which ball 70 may seat when a predetermined angular relation exists between collars 65 and 68.

When handles 15 and 69 are juxtaposed, ball 70 registers with recess 74 thereby relieving pressure between collars 65 and 68, and shaft 14 is free to turn relative to sleeve 67. Upon relative angular separation of handles 15 and 69, as shown in Fig. 6, ball 70 is moved from recess 74, whereupon the pressure of spring 72 against ball 70 and of ball 70 against collar 68 presses collar 68 against sleeve 67, and sleeve 67 against shoulder 62. The frictional engagement thus provided between shoulder 62 of sleeve 61 and sleeve 67, and between the end of sleeve 67 and collar 68 serves to clutch sleeve 61 to sleeve 67, whereby movement of rack 24 is imparted to shaft 14. lf desired, a pair of pressure-producing means consisting of the assembly 70, 71, 72, 73 and 74 may be provided as shown in Fig. 5, diametrically disposed in collar 65.

Handles 15 and 69, when together, signify manual operating position, in which driving means 16 is completely de-coupled from the drill press. Handles 1S and 69, when separated, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, signify the powered operating position, in which longitudinal movement of drill bit 13 is controlled by driving means 16.

The apparatus is applied to drill press 10 with driving means 16 (Fig. l) anchored to standard 11 by cooperative clamp members 29 and 31 (Fig. 2). A bushing 58 (Figs. 3 and 4) of proper internal diameter to t snugly on shaft 14 of drill press 10 is selected and anchored to shaft 14 by set screw 29. Sleeve 61 is slipped over bushing 58 and anchored thereto by set screw 60, thereby providing support for housing 20 of the apparatus. In this manner each end of the apparatus, 16 and 20, is supported on drill press 10. Any slight discrepancy in the mounting is absorbed in the pliant mounting means at ends 40 and 45 of rods 33 and 35, respectively.

For manual operation, it is necessary only to juxtapose handles 15 and 69 from their positions shown in Figs. 4, S and 6, thus causing balls 70 to seat in recesses 74. This relieves pressure on sleeve 67 and allows shaft 14 to be manually turned by juxtaposed actuation of handles 15 and 69. Sleeve 67 and the remainder of the power driven assembly are efectually de-coupled from shaft 14 during this operation, and the operator controls press 10 as though the apparatus of this invention were not present.

I claim:

l. Power feed apparatus for a machine having a rotatable shaft the angular position of which determines the longitudinal position of a tool with respect to work, comprising: a rst sleeve adapted to be mounted on said shaft, a shoulder on said first sleeve, a collar on said first sleeve movable axially thereon, a second sleeve rotatably mounted on said rst sleeve intermediate said shoulder and said collar, selectively operable means eiective to axially press said collar against said second sleeve and said second sleeve against said shoulder thereby frictionally engaging said second sleeve with said rst sleeve, and driving means eifective to rotate said second sleeve, thereby imparting relative motion between said tool and the work.

2. Apparatus for driving a rotatable shaft comprising: a sleeve adapted to be xed to said shaft; means on said sleeve providing a surface adapted to be engaged for driving said sleeve and said shaft; a sleeve rotatable on said rst mentioned sleeve; said rotary sleeve having a driving portion adapted to engage said surface to drive said first mentioned sleeve and said shaft; a collar freely rotatable and axially movable on said rst mentioned sleeve for urging said driving portion into driving engagement with said surface; means for rotating said rotary sleeve; and means operatively connected with said collar selectively operable for manually turning said rst mentioned sleeve and moving said collars axially to urge said driving portion into driving contact with said surface.

3. Apparatus for driving a rotatable shaft comprising: a sleeve adapted to be fixed to said shaft; means on said sleeve providing a surface adapted to be engaged for driving said sleeve and said shaft; a sleeve axially movable and freely rotatable on said first mentioned sleeve; said rotary sleeve having a driving portion adapted to engage said surface to drive said rst mentioned sleeve and said shaft; a collar rotatable and axially movable on said first mentioned sleeve; means on said rotary sleeve engageable with means for driving said rotary sleeve; a second collar fixed to said first mentioned sleeve; handles extending from said collars operable to selectively turn said collars about the axis of said shaft; and means between said collars operable to move said first mentioned collar axially to urge said driving portion into driving contact with said surface responsive to relative turning movement of said collars; said last named means causing said first mentioned collar to turn freely relative to said rotary sleeve when the handles are simultaneously correspondingly moved to rotate said fixed collar and shaft independent of said driving means.

4. Apparatus lfor driving a rotatable shaft comprising: a sleeve adapted to be fixed to said shaft; means on said sleeve providing a surface adapted to be engaged for driving said sleeve and said shaft; a sleeve axially movable and freely rotatable on said first mentioned sleeve; said rotary sleeve having a driving portion adapted to engage said surface to drive said lirst mentioned sleeve and said shaft; a collar rotatable and axially movable on said first mentioned sleeve for urging said rotary sleeve to a position in which said driving portion drivingly engages said surface; means for driving said rotary sleeve; a second collar fixed -to said first mentioned sleeve in opposed relation to the first mentioned collar; one of said collars having a depression therein; a spring loaded detent on the other collar engageable in said depression; relative turning movement of said collars causing said detent to move out of said depression and urge said first mentioned collar axially for moving said rotary sleeve to drivingly engage said drivling portion with said surface; corresponding turning of said collars when said detent is engaged in said recess causing said rst mentioned sleeve and said shaft to be turned independently of said driving means; and handles extending from said collars selectively operable for joint and relative turning of said collars.

5. Apparatus for driving a rotatable shaft comprising: a sleeve adapted to be fixed to said shaft; means adjacent one end of said sleeve providing a surface adapted to be engaged for driving said sleeve and shaft; a sleeve axially movable and freely rotatable on said first mentioned sleeve having one end adapted to be drivingly engaged with said surface; said iirst mentioned sleeve extending outwardly from lthe other end of said axially movable sleeve; a collar freely rotatable and axially movable on said extended portion of said first mentioned sleeve adapted to abut said other end of said axially movable sleeve; a handle for turning said collar relative to said first mentioned sleeve; a second collar fixed on said extended portion of said first mentioned sleeve adapted to abut said first mentioned collar; a handle for turning said second collar to likewise turn said first mentioned sleeve and said shaft; and means interposed between said collars operable to cause both collars to turn when both handles are moved correspondingly; said last named means causing said axially movable collar and said axially movable sleeve to be moved to drivingly engage said one end of said axially movable sleeve with said surface responsive to relative movement of said handles and consequent relative turning movement of said collars.

6. Apparatus for driving a rotatable shaft comprising: a sleeve adapted to be fixed to said shaft; means adjacent one end of said sleeve providing a surface adapted to be engaged for driving said sleeve and shaft; a sleeve axially movable and freely rotatable on said rst mentioned sleeve having one end adapted to be drivingly engaged with said surface; said first mentioned sleeve extending outwardly from the other end of said axially movable sleeve; a collar freely rotatable and axially movable on said extended portion of said first mentioned sleeve adapted to abut said other end of said rotary sleeve; a handle for turning said collar relative to said first menltioned sleeve; 1a second collar fixed on said extended portion of said first mentioned sleeve adapted to abut said first mentioned collar; a handle for turning saidl second collar to likewise turn said first mentioned sleeve and said shaft; one of said collars having la depression therein; and a spring-loaded detent on one of said collars adapted to be moved into and out of said depression.

7. A driving unit 4for application to a rotatable shaft comprising: a housing having a portion adapted to be mounted on a portion of said shaft; said housing having another portion adapted to support means for driving said shaft; a gear in said first named portion of said housing adapted to be mounted on said shaft for rotation relative thereto in driving engagement with said driving means; said rst named portion of said housing having opposed portions interiorly thereof engaging said gear to restrain axial movement of said gear; a member in said first named portion of said housing adapted to be fixed to said shaft; said member being engageable With said gear to drive said shaft; and means adapted to be mounted on said shaft operable for applying a force to urge said gear into driving engagement with said member.

8. A driving unit for application to a rotatable shaft comprising: a housing having a portion adapted to be mounted on a portion of said shaft; said housing having another portion adapted to support means for driving said shaft; gear means in said housing adapted to be mounted on said shaft lfor rotation relative thereto; said first named portion of said housing providing a tubular bearing portion for a part of said gear means; said gear having another part engaged with a wall of said housing and an end of said tubular bearing portion respectively, to restrain axial movement of said gear means; said gear means being adapted for driving engagement with said driving means; a member supported in said housing adapted to be fixed to said shaft engageable with said gear means for driving said shaft; and means adapted to be supported on said shaft operable to apply a force to said gear means to urge said gear means into driving en- Igagement with said member.

9. A driving unit for application to a rotatable shaft comprising: a housing adapted to be supported on said shaft; drive means in said housing for rotating said shaft; said drive means including a gear adapted to surround said shaft for free rotation thereon; said gear including an axial extension bearing means for said axial extension in said housing; said gear having surfaces engaging a wall of said housing and said bearing means respectively, to restrain axial movement of said gear; said gear being drivingly engaged with said driving means; a member within said housing adapted to be fixed to said shaft and having a surface engageable by said gear for driving said member and said shaft; and means adapted to be mounted on said shaft optionally operable for manually turning said shaft or applying a force to urge said gear into driving engagement with said surface to drive the shaft through said gear.

References Cited in the file of this patent 

